Has anyone read if we will be able to buy directly from Samsung, like the S7/E? I really don't want the carrier bloat.

This applies to USA. There was some leak about models being certified for FCC and the 'U' version which is the unlocked model was not present there. I doubt the unlocked model will be available immediately which will be disappointing. If we go by S7 then it will be available some 3 months later. I'm planning to get the T-Mobile version initially but later sell and buy the unlocked version when that's available.

I currently have the unlocked model of S7 (GM930U), it's been awesome having no carrier crap and the firmware the way Samsung wants it. But I'm disappointed that we are still on May security patch where as carriers are on July security patch.